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Now, if LeBron James can only fix the pothole problem -- Bud Shaw's "Spinoffs"

Thursday’s training camp drill: running to get selfies with LeBron BROWNS James’ sons get Browns jerseys, royal treatment from B1

Cleveland Cavaliers LeBron James visits with Cleveland Browns head coach Mike Pettine during practice on Thursday in Berea. The talk of city-wide "momentum" spurred by James' return is just a little premature.
(Chuck Crow)

• LeBron James is back and that can only be good for a town looking for its first title in 50 years.

It's also good for downtown businesses in a tough economy.

But we might be getting a little carried away with James' residual impact.

"All eyes should be on Cleveland this year," said Browns safety Donte Whitner. "And we have to go out there and make people want to watch us. Cavs go out there and handle their business, we handle ours, make people understand that Cleveland is pretty much back."

James returned to the Cavs and Cleveland because it's just up the road from Akron. The Republican National Convention coming to town said more about Cleveland's progress toward a makeover.

Even though the RNC had strategic reasons for picking Cleveland, the city's bid package had to impress.

James' return may coincide with greater success for the Browns and perhaps multiple playoff appearances by Terry Francona's Indians.

But I'm not sure we can give him too much credit for "city momentum" if it does.

After all, he was here from 2003-2010, during which the Browns went 43-89 and didn't make the playoffs while the Indians advanced to the postseason just once.

I love a parade, too. I just don't remember any.

• According to the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute, most Ohioans have forgiven James for leaving Cleveland for Miami in 2010.

A total of 62 percent of respondents said they had forgiven James while 63 percent supported the Cavs' decision to bring him back.

So one percent of grudge holders are happy the Cavs brought him home but aren't going to forgive him until they get a personal apology.

But Jim Thome, who didn't grow up here and left a rebuilding team that couldn't pay him close to market value, is still on some people's enemies' list.

Only in Cleveland.

• Speaking of LeBron's favorite team, Brandon Weeden completed 13 of 17 passes Thursday against San Diego for 107 yards and a touchdown.

In Dallas, this is being used to ease concerns about the team's decision to part ways with Kyle Orton.

In his first two exhibition games last summer, Weeden was 18-for-25 for 229 yards and three TDS and – according to one news story – "perhaps ended any more discussion about a quarterback competition in Cleveland."

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